Cleaning Engine and Engine Bay in Buick Rendezvous

[radtech91]

My mother has a 2004 Buick Rendezvous. The engine and engine bay has never been wiped out or cleaned. She is on a lot of dusty roads during the spring and summer so its pretty dirty in there. Also, I just started doing the oil changes on it, but from when it was done other places they spilled oil in different spots.

What do you recommend to clean it out and make it look better?

 

[dsmith41]

I just buy a can of degreaser and use the whole can to spray everything down. I let it sit a while and then rinse with little pressure. Just let the water flow out of the hose, no nozzle. I try not to get water directly on the electrical components and alternator but its impossible to keep them completely dry. I have never had any troubles with this method and I'm convinced my truck runs better because of it.

 

[cp3]

I use Simple Green Max, spray it down, some car wash and water for the tough spots and a quick spray with the hose to rinse. Once it dries some Ice liquid makes all the black plastic look good too!

 

[kkreit01]

I would keep a hose away from it. Use a mild APC, and wash by hand with a wet rag. Use Stoner Trim Shine for all rubber/plastic.

I've read a lot of good things about CRC Engine Degreaser (can often by bought at AZ):

http://www.amazon.com/CRC-Industries-Engine-Degreaser-05025F-C/dp/B0002T8Y3E

 

[gofastman]

Originally Posted By: cp3
I use Simple Green Max, spray it down, some car wash and water for the tough spots and a quick spray with the hose to rinse. Once it dries some Ice liquid makes all the black plastic look good too!

I dont know anything about the "max' version, but I would recommend simple green extreme or SG Pro HD (available at home depot)
stay away from the original version as it can stain or corrode certain metals, plus it smells like butt.
do youself a big favor and warm the engine before cleaning it, dont get it hot, just warm

 

[Malo83]

I spray my engine bays out at the coin op car wash with no problems, i'll spray the soap on first and let it sit while I spray the rest of the car and then hit it last on the final rinse. I do this to all my vehicles with no problems.

 

[kkreit01]

^ I did it once in the 90s, and I will never do it again. My wipers started coming on by themselves -- freaky! I never let mine get filthy, thus, a damp rag is all I ever need. I then use Trim Shin or Durgloss Ultimate Detail Spray on all plastic/rubber parts.

 

[RacerE7773]

I've used SG with no problems, as well as the canned engine cleaners.

 

[cchase]

Simple Green of any kind is best diluted. The basic stuff can corrode some metals, especially aluminum. The key is diluted and then rinsing well, soon. Don't let it sit on metal.

 

[JetStar]

Originally Posted By: Malo83
I spray my engine bays out at the coin op car wash with no problems, i'll spray the soap on first and let it sit while I spray the rest of the car and then hit it last on the final rinse. I do this to all my vehicles with no problems.


Been doing that for 33 years and only had a problem one time when I sprayed the distributor a little too vigorously. Use some common sense and stay away from electrical components with concentrated spray. Keep the wand far enough away that you are not injecting water. I usually like to let the car cool off a bit before spraying. I do the outside of the car first while the engine cools.

 

[virtual]

I use simple green max,and a high presure washer and a brush,i cover the alternator and the air box ,spray her good with a 50/50 simple green then rince it and brush the part that seems to need it.Water dont really bother me did some river crossing ,hydrolock is the biggest concern .

 

[Islandvic]

These are my to favorite ways to clean engine bay....1

1. Gunk Foamy Engine Brite

2. Spray off with Low pressure water stream

3. Wipe off remaining grime

4. Blow off water with leaf blower or shop vac

5. Follow with Gunk Citrus Engine Brite 2 in 1 Cleaner / Detailer

** If you can find CD-2 Engine Detailer, use this for step 5**

6. Re-wipe everything down again with clean rag


Lately I have been doing this method

1. Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner Plus D103 1:4 ratio

2. Spray off with low pressure water stream

3. Wife off remaining grime

4. Blow off water with leaf blower or shop vac

5. Follow with your favorite Tire Shine Foam (Low Gloss)

6. Re-Wipe everything down with clean rag


Good luck

 

[Vikas]

Originally Posted By: Islandvic

3. Wife off remaining grime



I don't think that is a good idea

 

[97tbird]

LOL

 

[Craig in Canada]

I would stay away from HIGH PRESSURE water.

I've used diluted Simple Green for years and it has a tendancy to "hang on" to some kinds of metal for some reason. Even when you think you've rinsed the heck out of something it'll still keep foaming a bit, or you'll smell baking Simple Green the next time you run the car.

IMO, you want to use lots of LOW PRESSURE water for rinsing. Something like a "watering can" style attachment for your garden hose. Definitely avoid pressure/power washers as they'll drive water into water proof connectors, bearings etc... If you've done the cleaning properly, you won't need high pressure rinse as you're just rinsing the detergent and suspended/emulsified goo away with it. Don't let the detergent mix dry between application and rinsing.

Other detergents may not need as much rinsing, but I have continually altered my process to now use what seems to be a rediculous amount of rinse water to make sure I don't smell SG or see any more sudsing. I don't go crazy on the alternator, and I'd usually stay away from the distributor on cars that have them, but I haven't covered anything for years and never have an issue.

Fairly recently I've gone away from a trigger sprayer with SG dilution to using a hose-end sprayer meant for pesticide. Fill it with SG concentrate, set a mix ratio, and spray down the engine compartment. You can actually use less SG concentrate but get much better results. It also works great getting the salt and other [censored] off of the bottom of the car where a trigger sprayer would be a pain.

This has been working well for me for years on Japanese and German cars.

 

[ahoier]

Originally Posted By: Malo83
I spray my engine bays out at the coin op car wash with no problems, i'll spray the soap on first and let it sit while I spray the rest of the car and then hit it last on the final rinse. I do this to all my vehicles with no problems.
I was tempted to clean mine that way.....but the one time I actually decided to peer into the owner's manual, there's a section on detailing/cleaning, and specifically says to not use water under the hood......lol. Don't know how else to clean it then......